History
Culinary Arts & Hospitality Studies, formerly known as the Hotel and Restaurant Department, was founded in 1936 by John and Hilda Watson Gifford. It was the first two-year hospitality program in the country and the first emphasizing the culinary arts. The department was first located in the basement of San Francisco's Galileo High School with only 12 students. In 1955, the department relocated to Smith Hall at the Ocean campus. In 1963, with financial assistance from the Statler Foundation, Statler Wing was built adjacent to Smith Hall and again expanded in 1973. The Educated Palate restaurant at the original Downtown Campus opened in 1982 and was completely renovated in 2005.
Specialties
Welcome to our classroom! The Educated Palate is a living classroom, where our CCSF students learn by doing - by having the opportunity to prepare and to serve comforting, classic food and elevated desserts in our downtown restaurant.